Directional peer-to-peer networking

Abstract

Interaction between wireless devices, one of which may be equipped with a directional radio (a radio with a directional antenna for directional sensing capabilities) can be used in directional peer-to-peer networking. A method can include obtaining, at a first device from a serving device, proximity information regarding a second device. The method can also include obtaining, at the first device from the serving device, direction information regarding the second device. The method can further include calculating a position of the second device with respect to the first device based on the proximity information and based on the direction information. The method can additionally include communicating with the second device based on the position.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 obtaining, by a first device from a serving device, proximity information regarding a second device; 
 obtaining, by the first device from the serving device, direction information regarding the second device; 
 calculating, by the first device, a position of the second device with respect to the first device based on the proximity information and based on the direction information; and 
 communicating, by the first device, with the second device based on the position, 
 wherein the proximity information comprises relative proximity information with respect to the serving device and the direction information comprises relative direction information with respect to the serving device. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the obtaining the proximity information comprises obtaining discrete proximity information with respect to the serving device. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the obtaining the direction information comprises obtaining discrete direction information with respect to the serving device. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor; and 
 at least one memory including computer program code, 
 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause an apparatus at least to 
 obtain, at a first device from a serving device, proximity information regarding a second device, 
 obtain, at the first device from the serving device, direction information regarding the second device, 
 calculate a position of the second device with respect to the first device based on the proximity information and based on the direction information, and 
 communicate with the second device based on the position, 
 wherein the proximity information comprises relative proximity information with respect to the serving device and the direction information comprises relative direction information with respect to the serving device. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause an apparatus at least to obtain discrete proximity information with respect to the serving device. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause an apparatus at least to obtain discrete direction information with respect to the serving device. 
     
     
       7. A method, comprising:
 determining, by a serving device, first proximity information regarding a first device and second proximity information regarding a second device; 
 determining, by the serving device, first direction information regarding the first device and second direction information regarding the second device; 
 reporting, by the first device, the first proximity information and the first direction information to the second device; and 
 reporting, by the first device, the second proximity information and the second direction information to the first device, 
 wherein the proximity information comprises relative proximity information with respect to the serving device and the direction information comprises relative direction information with respect to the serving device. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the reporting the first proximity information or the second proximity information comprises reporting discrete proximity information with respect to the serving device. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the reporting the first direction information or the second direction information comprises reporting discrete direction information with respect to the serving device. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor; and 
 at least one memory including computer program code, 
 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause an apparatus at least to 
 determine, at a serving device, first proximity information regarding a first device and second proximity information regarding a second device; 
 determine, at the serving device, first direction information regarding the first device and second direction information regarding the second device; 
 report the first proximity information and the first direction information to the second device; and 
 report the second proximity information and the second direction information to the first device, 
 wherein the proximity information comprises relative proximity information with respect to the serving device and the direction information comprises relative direction information with respect to the serving device. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause an apparatus at least to report discrete proximity information with respect to the serving device. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause an apparatus at least to report discrete direction information with respect to the serving device.